WHIPLASH: Kejriwal digging in the Swami's hole

What's similar between Arvind Kejriwal and Swami Shobhan Sarkar? Both are self-proclaimed well-wishers of the country who are selling a "golden dream" to Indians.

While Shobhan Sarkar is promising a turnaround in the country's fortunes with 1000 tonnes of gold, Kejriwal is assuring Delhiites of a corruption-free, transparent government with his Aam Aadmi Party.

Even more bizarre is the curiosity and optimism that their "tall claims" have generated among citizens. The reason behind this growing interest of the people is not Kejriwal's extensive campaign or Sarkar's unshakeable belief, but the despair and frustration that people are experiencing at the moment.

Since nothing seems to be working in their favour, people are pinning their hopes on miracles to bail them out of their crises.

Both Kejriwal and Shobhan Sarkar claim to have based their dreams on through research. The AAP founder and his team have supposedly studied people's problems and then arrived at the solutions. Sarkar is vouching for the gold based on his years of reading of rare manuscripts.

The problem with both the claims is that there is no history or evidence to support them. India, in its 66 years of Independence, has not seen a political movement which could uproot corruption from the system. And 1000 tonnes of gold is a fairytale that can entertain people but not alleviate their miseries.

The improbability of Kejriwal and Shobhan Sarkar's claims makes them proponents of "wishful thinking". Still their theories have found thousands of takers and generated a hope of a "golden" future.

As ASI officials dig deep into the earth in search of the yellow metal, Kejriwal should keep his fingers crossed. If the archaeological experts can find a treasure that can ease off India's financial burden, we might just get a government which means each and every word it says.

For now, the AAP founder's promise of a corruption-free Delhi is as far-fetched as Sarkar's dream of a hidden treasure.